Community

A healthy social life is found only

When in the mirror of each soul

The whole community finds its reflection,

And when in the whole community

The virtue of each one is living.
--Rudolf Steiner

Tamarack's parent community is a wonderfully diverse and energetic group of parents who share the common goal of wanting the best education possible for their families. Our parents have chosen a Waldorf education for their children; an education that springs to life within the walls of Tamarack Waldorf School. Whether choosing Tamarack after hours of study and evaluation of other schooling options or by simply coming through the doors and knowing this is the school for their children, our families have blended together into a beautiful and exceptional multifaceted community. Our diverse student population clearly is the product of a diverse parent body. Our parent community is a unique blend of all kinds of people from all kinds of walks of life. Tamarack personifies a remarkable spirit of tolerance, kindness, and respect for all families rarely realized in other schools.

Having chosen Tamarack for their children, our parents are eager to help our school with heartfelt energy, vast quantities of time, and an array of talents. Our parents' first goal is to support their child's teacher, so the teacher can concentrate on the children. Parents volunteer as class leaders and TPA-CC class reps. They drive and chaperone for field trips. Parents assist in various ways with school plays and concerts. They support the classroom environment with assorted donations throughout the year.

In addition, our parents assist in a variety of ways with the running of the school. Many school committees are composed mainly of parent volunteers with faculty representation including our Enrollment Committee, Site Committee, Fund Development Committee, Finance Committee and different ad hoc committees, as well as the Board of Trustees and TPA-CC (Tamarack Parent Association-Community Circle).

How does Tamarack in turn support its parents? Parent community building begins with the faculty. Parents are encouraged in many ways to learn about their children and the Waldorf education they are receiving. Regular class meetings that discuss curriculum, class dynamics and future class activities are held by all grade teachers and the combined kindergartens. Conferences are held twice yearly. Teachers also communicate regularly via newsletter to keep parents informed about class progress, work and lessons. If a parent has further questions, each faculty has regularly scheduled office hours and is also available by appointment as well as via phone or email. At the end of the school year, every teacher writes an extensive end of the year report furthering the parent's understanding of their child. Parents often remarked in the parent surveys just how much they cherish these end of the year reports. This open exchange between teacher and parent not only supports our parents, but by extension strengthens the teacher-student relationship.

Tamarack, as a school, offers many community events, as well as enrichment and educational opportunities for our parents. Throughout the school year, there are the traditional festivals which bring meaning and depth to the family of the Waldorf student. There are regular All School meetings, workshops and special interest speakers. Given the unique structure of our parent population and its own special challenges, almost all events at Tamarack are free of charge with only good will donations accepted. TPA-CC generally donates childcare. Parents also benefit from the many and varied school communications. Every other week, Tamarack Talk, the school newsletter, is delivered to the parent folders outside each classroom. On rotating weeks, Calendar and Announcements, a shortened newsletter is sent home.

Tamarack parents also connect and support each other in many exceptional and heartwarming ways. From the clothing/goods drive to sustain a new Tamarack family who lost many of their belongings to fire, to meal and driving support for sick parents or families with newborns, our community cares for its children, its school and each other. As one parent said, 'I knew Tamarack's Waldorf education would be good for my children; I just didn't know how good Tamarack would be for me!'